Electrolytic cell.



C. W. MARSH.

BLBCTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLIOATION FILED 11111.15. 1912.

1,075,363, Patented 0111.111913.

w" MM/l TED STATES ATEN'I FFIQE.

CLARENCE W. MARSH, F GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO HOOKER ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPO- RATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

' a citizen of the United States, residing at v lytic Cells, of which the following isa speci- Greenwich, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electro'- fication.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells of the diaphragm type, and especially to such as are adapted for the electrolysis of alkali-metal chlorids.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above type which is capable of efficient operation at low vvoltages, and which possesses a high ampere capacity in proportion to the space required for itsinstallation.

For a full understanding of the invent-ion, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of cell embodying the invention, one-half thereof being shown in section on the line I-I of Fig. 2; and Fig. 2 is anelevationof the same, one-half thereof in section on the line II- -II of Fig. 1.

In said drawings', 1 represents a sheetmetal container, and 2 the bottom thereof, formed of cement composition, stoneware or other insulating material resistant to chlorin.

3 is the cathode of the cell, and is'preferably constructed of sheet-steel, having' closely-spacedl elongated perforations 4. This cathode is flexed or bent to provide a series of substantially radial, vertically-extending pockets or recesses 5, with inter-me- A diate projecting portions 6, the said projccting portions 6 inclosing radial-extensions or recesses-7 which are 1n open communication both attheir sides and endswith the central or anode compartment 8 of the cell. Y above and below the radial pockets or recesses 5, and is preferably secured by rivet-l ing or otherwise at its upper and lower margins to the-flanges 9 of the-metal casing 1, thereby forming an etlicient electrical c911- nection therewith. Thecathode connection- Specication of Letters Patent.

The cathode-is flexed outwardly Patented Oct. 14, 1913.

Application led January 15, 1912. Serial No. 671,189.

manner, preferably as indicated by covering these portions of the plate with an insulating and inertplastic composition 11, interlocking with the plate through the perforations thereof. For this coating I may use cement, an insoluble condensation product of phenols and formaldehyde or a composition thereof, or the like.

12 is a bell-shaped cover for the cell, which may be of earthenware or cement composition, and fits closely within the upward extension of the cathode.

13 is a central aperture for the escape of chlorin gas.

l'Ihe diaphragm 14, usually of asbestos paper or cloth or a combination of these, is applied closely to the inner face of the flexed cathode 3 and securedby cementing or otherwise to the non-conductive covering 11, as illustrated is Fig. 2.

The anodes 15, usually of'Acheson-graphite, are vertically disposed in the radial eX- tensions or recesses 7 of the anode chamber, and extend upwardly through the cellcover 12 being luted therein as shown at 16. Electrical connection to the anodes may be made as indicated by'co-nducting bars 17 secured to the inner faces of the anode caps 18, and to a ring 19 of aluminum or copper which may be clamped to the anode buns-bar. rIhe electrolyte, usually a solution of sodium or potassium chlorid, is introduced into the anode compartment by a central supply-pipe 20, with which is preferably associated any suitable device for maintaining. a constant level of liquid in the said compartment. 'In the form illustrated, this comprises an externalsupply-vessel' 21, hav- `ing a supply-pipe 22 for brine and an over-y In operation, the solution undergoing electrolysis percolatesthrough the diaphragm and cathode, into the external or cathode compartment 24, and the caustic solution may be withdrawn from this compartment by pipe 25, the hydrogen escaping through the vent 2G, and being collected if desired. The cathode compartfaces of these extensions.v If desired, however, lthe radial extensions 7 may be substantially rectangular, in which case stock forms of graphite may be used as anodes. In case the cell is operated at relatively low current density, it is desirable that the exposed portions should be well covered with a suitable heatfinsulating material, in order .that the best working temperatures may he maintained.

I claim:

1. An electrolytic cell comprising concentric anode and cathode compartments, a pervious cathode and diaphragm separating .said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide recesses in openA lateral and end communication with the anode compartment, and anodes disposed in said recesses.

2. An electrolytic cell comprising concentric anode and cathode compartments, a pervious cathode and diaphragm separating said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide substantially radial recesses in open lateral and end communication with the anode compartment, and anodes disposed in said recesses.

3. An electrolytic cell comprising concentric anode and cathode compartments, a pervious cathode and diaphragm separating said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm tlexed or bent to provide recesses in open lateral and end `communication with the anode compartment, anodes disposed in said recesses, and means for maintaining a constant level of electrolyte in .said anode compartment.

4. An electrolytic cell comprising concentric anode and cathode compartments, a

. pervious cathode and diaphragm separating said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide substantially radial recesses in open lateral and end communication with the anode compartment, anodes disposed in said recesses,y and means for maintaining a constant level of electrolyte in said anode compartment.

5l An electrolytic cell comprising concen tric anode and cathode compartments, a pervious cathode and diaphragm separating said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide correlated recesses communicating respectively with the anode and cathode compartments, the recesses communicating with the anode compartment being in open lateral and end comlnunication therewith, and anodes disposed in the recesses which communicate with said anode compartment,

6. An electrolytic cell comprising concen* tric anode and cathode compartments, a pervious cathode and diaphragm separating said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm iexed or bent to provide correlated recesses communicating respectively with the anode and cathode compartments, the recesses communicating with the anode compartment being in open lateral and end communication therewith, and anodes disposed in the recesses which communicate with said anode compartment, the upper and lower walls ofl said recesses which communicate with the cathode compartment presenting non-conducting surfaces.

7. An electrolytic cell comprising a central anode compartment, a cathode compartment surroundino' said anodecompartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide recesses in lateral and end communication with said anode compartment, and anodes disposedv tral anode compartment, a cathode compartment surrounding said anode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide substantially radial recessesin lateral and end communication with said anode compartment, and anodes disposed in said recesses.

9. An electrolytic cell comprising a 'central anode compartment, a cathode compartment surrounding said anode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide recesses in lateral and end communicationv with said anode compartment, anodes disposed in said recesses, and means for maintainirg a constant level of electrolyte in said compart ment.

l0. An electrolytic cell comprising acentral anode compartment, a cathode compartment surrounding said anode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between said compartments, said cathode and diaphragm Hexed or bent to provide recesses extending radially inward and in open communication with the said cathode compartment, and anodes located in the said anode compartment between the walls of said recesses.

1l. An electrolytic cell comprising a central anode compartment, a cathode compartment surrounding saidanode compartment, a pervious cathode and diaphragm between sald compartments, said cathode and diaphragm flexed or bent to provide recesses extending radiall inward and in open communication wit the said cathode compartment, the upper and lower walls of said resolutions comprising "concentric anode and cathode compartments separated by a substantially vertical pervious cathode and diaphragni, said cathode and dia hragm having pockets extending into sai anode compartment and provided with inclined imperforate upper and lower walls, and anodes disposed 1n the recesses between said pockets.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE W; MARSH.

Witnesses EDWARD OsTnoM, Jr., JASPER M. RowLAND. 

